martyrdom

noun

mar·​tyr·​dom ˈmär-tər-dəm 

1

: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faith

… defended moral truth even to the point of enduring martyrdom …

—Andrew Sullivan

2

: affliction, torture

Examples of martyrdom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During Muharram a community group will often stage a passion play (taʿziyyah) that reenacts the events of Ḥusayn’s martyrdom. —Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026

The film is simultaneously unadorned and deeply oppressive, staying close to the historical record (while fictionalizing the circumstances of Moulin’s eventual death, or martyrdom) in a fashion that offers little perspective, beyond a humanist call-to-arms and appeal toward remembrance. —David Katz, IndieWire, 18 May 2026

Instead, Stewart has chosen to turn her own foolish answers on the tax collector report into a bid for martyrdom. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026

More clear-eyed now, Jean must reject her martyrdom and reclaim her own truth and agency. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

martyrdom

noun

mar·​tyr·​dom ˈmärt-ərd-əm 

1

: the sufferings and death of a martyr

2

: torment entry 1 sense 1